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Genesis 8:1

וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר
zâkar
and — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֱלֹהִים֙
ʼĕlôhîym
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
אֶת
ʼêth
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נֹ֔חַ
Nôach
Noach, the patriarch of the flood
וְאֵ֤ת
ʼêth
and — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
kôl
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַֽחַיָּה֙
chay
the — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively
וְאֶת
ʼêth
and — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
kôl
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
bᵉhêmâh
the — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
אִתּ֖וֹ
ʼêth
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
בַּתֵּבָ֑ה
têbâh
in/with/by — a box
וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר
ʻâbar
and — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation)
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
ʼĕlôhîym
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
ר֨וּחַ֙
rûwach
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)
עַל
ʻal
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
the — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ
shâkak
and — to weave (i.e. lay) a trap; figuratively, (through the idea of secreting) to allay (passions; physically, abate a flood)
הַמָּֽיִם
mayim
the — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Genesis 8:1 · Masoretic Text (WLC)
AMPLIFIED · 1 of 3
And God
Chiasm
This is the exact center of the flood narrative's chiastic structure - the single verse the whole account turns on. Everything before it (th…
remembered
Chiasm
This is the exact center of the flood narrative's chiastic structure - the single verse the whole account turns on. Everything before it (th…
and thought kindly of Noah
Chiasm
This is the exact center of the flood narrative's chiastic structure - the single verse the whole account turns on. Everything before it (th…
and every living thing and all the animals that were with him in the ark; and God made a wind blow over the land, and the waters receded.
Rabbi's unlock
Genesis 8:1New

God "remembering" Noah doesn't mean Noah had been forgotten — zakar, in a case like this, means turning attention toward someone in order to act on a standing promise, not recovering a lost thought. It's the same nuance behind the command to "remember" the Sabbath: not a reminder against forgetting, but a call to keep acting on what's already known. The flood doesn't end because God's memory gets jogged; it ends because God acts.

that's everything Rabbi's current library has flagged for this passage — new sources are added every week
Today's memory verse · from this session
And God remembered and thought kindly of Noah and every living thing and all the animals that were with him in the ark; and God made a wind blow over the land, and the waters receded.
Genesis 8:1
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